In late May, Benny Hall Sr., owner of Benny Hall & Sons Inc. in Temperanceville, VA, told The Produce News that Mark Hodson was hired about one year ago as a new sales representative for the company.

Hodson has a strong and lengthy background in the produce industry.

“Mark came to us from Western Harvest in Canada,” said Hall. “Prior to then he was with Thomas Moore for many years. He comes with a lot of experience and has already proven to be a great asset by increasing sales. In addition to potatoes, he is selling our other commodities, including cabbage, onions and apples.”

Benny Hall & Sons’ partner operation with Middleton Farms is named H&M, and is located in Hastings, FL. Hall’s sales representative, David Scott, works with him at the location as well as at its other locations throughout the year.

“David is very conscientious and a great asset,” noted Hall. “Overall we have an outstanding team of staff members.”

The company will be selling its Florida potato crop until harvesting wraps up around June 20. Hall said the company is the only one in the Hastings’ area to have russet potatoes.

Its potato crop on the Eastern Shore of Virginia was coming along nicely in late May.

“The potatoes are growing fast now that we have some warm and sunny days on the shore,” said Hall. “We’ll be moving them starting from the middle to the end of June, which is normal.”

Hall is the third generation to operate the Eastern Shore farming operation. The company grows red, white and yellow, or Yukon Gold, potatoes. Hall explained that the company plants only true Yukon Gold potatoes.

Benny Hall & Sons grows potatoes on about 900 acres in Virginia. Last year it added a new cooler at its Virginia facility, bringing its capacity up to 100 loads.

When business in Virginia kicks in, Hall and his staff, along with his wife, will be on their toes at the facility between 14 and 15 hours a day.

“My wife cooks lunch and dinner for us, and we all look forward to those just harvested potatoes,” Hall said. “The first day they come out of the ground I can sit and eat three in a row, and savor every bite. There is nothing better tasting than that.

“If the public could just experience the difference between a freshly harvested potato, compared to one that’s been in storage, they would always opt for fresh,” he added.

Hall also pointed out that potato prices at retail always stay the same regardless of the price farmers receive. Prices this year are fair.

“We’re currently seeing around $20 per 100-weight f.o.b.,” said Hall. “That’s pretty much across the board. Yellows, however, are getting a little more now because volumes are pretty tight. We hope prices stay firm as we move into Carolina and Virginia.”

Benny Hall expects to wrap up on the Eastern Shore around the middle of August.